In the aftermath of the tragic collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, the deaths of six immigrant workers sparked a wave of sympathy. President Biden and others offered prayers, while news reports praised the men as “kindhearted,” “humble,” and “heroes.” Yet, one cannot help but wonder if it is only in tragedy that these labels are deserved.
The disparaging discourse surrounding immigration in the United States makes this outpouring of praise seem like a mere platitude. Fernanda Santos, a Brazilian-American journalist, highlights how politicians, business owners, and even well-meaning individuals often portray immigrants as merely filling jobs that Americans do not want and for low wages, implying that their presence should be tolerated out of necessity. However, this framing marginalizes already vulnerable members of our communities. We need to shift the conversation about immigrant workers away from their sacrifices, born out of necessity, and towards addressing the lack of safety in their jobs.
The Baltimore tragedy underscores that construction is among the deadliest industries in the United States. As the focus turns towards rebuilding the bridge, it has been reported that Latinos, who constitute 31% of construction workers, consider the task too dangerous. Other industries heavily reliant on foreign-born workers are equally hazardous. The Department of Labor reports that employees of poultry and meat processing plants are exposed to antibiotic-resistant diseases and have an increased risk of developing lung cancer. According to the Economic Policy Institute, immigrant workers comprise over 37% of the labor force in this critical sector of our food supply.
But we would be remiss to stop there. U.S.-born workers also toil in poultry and meat processing plants, as well as in construction, repairing roofs, and refilling potholes during overnight shifts. Our focus should be on finding ways to make every job as safe as possible for all workers.
While the spotlight is currently on Latinos, the United States’ disregard for the welfare of immigrant workers has a long history. Chinese immigrants who labored on the construction of the transcontinental railroad faced worse conditions and lower pay than their White counterparts. Their reward was decades of restrictive policies designed to keep them out. History shows that despite the rhetoric portraying these jobs as a form of payment for being part of the nation, immigrants of color are often left out.
Bill Barry, the retired director of labor studies at the Community College of Baltimore County, points to the “predatory relationship between employer and immigrant employee” rooted in the xenophobic idea of America being only for Americans. This relationship often involves wage theft, primarily in the form of unpaid overtime. Pervasive nationwide, this practice often goes unreported because immigrants fear job loss or, if undocumented, deportation.
Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, Miguel Luna, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Carlos Hernandez, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, and Jose Mynor Lopez, the six men who lost their lives in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, should be remembered as part of the essential recovery narrative. They were more than just workers; they had families, attended church, and were active in their communities. At least two of them, Sandoval and Luna, volunteered at CASA, a non-profit organization that serves and advocates for Latinos.
There is no clarity on the immigration status of all six men, but the tragedy has galvanized advocates, business leaders, and elected officials to push the Biden administration to extend temporary protected status to immigrant workers who have lived in the United States for five or more years. This would provide them with legal permission to work in the U.S., though it does not offer a direct path to legal residency or citizenship.
Extending temporary protected status would be an acknowledgment of their contributions and a way to energize progressive voters. It is a gamble, especially in an election year where immigration is a top-of-mind issue, but for a group that has been helping rebuild this nation, it is a worthy wager.
